A Guide to Finding the Best Boat Names
Choosing a Name for Your Boat
You have just found your perfect boat. It has everything you could wish for and more. It's practically shouting, "Buy me, buy me!"
"Wait a minute," you say. "I could never own a boat with a name like that!"
Alas, naming or renaming a boat is not a task to be taken lightly; it requires thought and careful consideration. The name of your boat may reflect the type of boat or something personal to you, or even a mix of the two. Let's take a look at some possible names for different types of boats.
Speed Boat Names
If you have a speedboat or a racing sailboat you may want to opt for a name that is synonymous with speed. This could be something that not only sounds fast but puts fear in your opponent's mind. Let's imagine there's a boat called "Sunshine Seeker" racing against a boat with the name "Greased Lightning." Where would you put your money if betting on a winner?
In the end, it's all about the ability to maneuver a boat at speed and how powerful the engine(s) are, but having a speedy sounding name and a slick appearance never hurts. Here are some examples of suitable names for this type of boat:
- Lickety Split
- Greased Lightning
- Flying Lady (notably from a Rolls Royce)
- Blew By Ya
- Breaking Waves
- Rebel
- Wake-Up Call
- Bad Boy
- Banshee
- Razor's Edge
- Renegade
- Lic-a-dee-Split
- Silver Bullet
- Terminator
Imagine any of these flashing in the face of your adversary as you go racing past and into the lead. Satisfying, isn't it?
Sailboat Names
There are two types of sailing—racing and cruising. For racers, you may want to see the names for speed boats above. For pleasure sailing, you'll find suitable names below. Not surprisingly, the word 'wind' is featured in many sailboat names, though names of clouds can also be used to great effect.
- Summer Wind
- Second Wind
- Wind Dancer
- Tailwinds
- Ocean Breeze
- Peaceful Wind
- Sailing Free
- Sails Call
- Sail Away
- Cirrus
- Nimbus
- Sirocco
Ahh, I can almost picture the wind filling the sails and hear the water splashing against the bow.
Foreign Names for Boats
The use of foreign names has always been a popular choice, especially among those who want to appear well traveled or wish to conjure up a desire for world travel. That being said, if you're only going to use your boat to cruise in English-speaking areas, perhaps these aren't for you.
- Carpe Diem (Seize the Day or Seas the Day)
- La Bella Vita (The Beautiful Life)
- Ohana (Hawaiian term for extended family)
- Whãnau (Maori term for extended family)
- Adagio (Slow Tempo)
- Adios (Goodbye)
Fishing Boat Names
If you're picking a name for a fishing boat, you have many options to choose from. Whether the boat is for charter or personal use, you can select names associated with fishing tackle or simply the pleasure of fishing.
If you offer a boat charter business, the name should reflect the image you are trying to project. No one wants to go luxury cruising on a boat called "Bait Master," but if they are chartering the boat for fishing, then it is a great name.
- Gone Fishin'
- Catchin' Dinner
- Avid Angler
- Bait Master
- Reel World
- Bigger Game
- Reel Deal
- Reel Satisfaction
- Kingfisher
- Reel-Nauti
- Fishin' Magician
- Heron
How could you not catch the big one with names like these?
Humorous Boat Names
I personally love seeing a boat with a humorous name. To me, it says the people inside are fun people; they are enjoying themselves and not concerned with what other people think about them or their boat. Here are a few of my favorite examples.
- Broke but Afloat
- Called in Sick
- Going Seanile
- Your Place Oar Mine
- What's up Dock
- Sleeping With Oars
- Loon-A-Sea
- Sails Call
- Rockhopper
Relaxing Names for Boats
There is a fast-growing number of boats with names that conjure up pleasant, relaxing thoughts. The idea of sailing away and taking a break from the real world while leaving your problems onshore is a lovely one.
Below are a few suggestions.
- Hydrotherapy
- Solitude
- Mental Floss
- Escape
- Solitude
- Serenity
- Whisper
- Dreamweaver
- Stress Less
- Kindred Spirit
You can almost feel the pressure of a landlocked life floating away as you cast off the bowlines, leaving your problems on the shore.
Alcohol-Related Boat Names
There are also many boat names related to alcohol, which can be fun as long as you don't draw unwanted attention from the port authorities. For some people, boating and alcohol seem to go together. Here are a few choice names.
- Three Sheets
- J & B
- Kahlúa
- Beeracuda
- Shaken not Stirred
- Comfortably Numb
- On the Rocks (ideally your drink and not your boat)
- Wine Down
- Sip & Dip
Mythological Boat Names
Many people prefer to use a name from Greek mythology. Below are a few of the more popular ones.
- Phaedra (Bright)
- Adonis (God of Beauty and Desire)
- Pegasus (The Flying Horse)
- Poseidon (God of the Sea)
- Zephyr (God of the West Wind)
- Boreas (God of the North Wind)
- Eurus (God of the East Wind)
- Notus (God of the South Wind)
- Odyssey (Epic Voyage)
Is It Bad Luck to Rename Your Boat?
The process of renaming a boat is rife with superstition. When trading was done, mainly by ships, each had a reputation. When a vessel arrived in port, it was welcomed, because the locals had developed a relationship with the traders aboard. If a ship changed its name, it was treated with suspicion until it had built up a good reputation.
How to Perform a Boat-Naming Ceremony
If you have purchased a boat and you truly cannot live with the name, you must do the following:
- Remove everything that has the ship's previous name. Don't forget to check the key chains and life preservers. Stickers with the name may come off with a special cleaner that removes adhesive. Otherwise, you can use a scraper.
- Notify the Coast Guard of the name change and provide proper documentation
- Make a speech. Inform the Gods and the boat, of the name change. Splash champagne across the hull. There is no need to smash a bottle on the boat.
Boat Renaming Ceremony
Who Owned These Boats
view quiz statisticsQuestions & Answers
Could you please help me come up with a name for my boat? It has to incorporate Pizza. I own a pizza place.
One idea would be to start with the words, 'piece of' and replace those with pizza. For example, "pizza heaven", "pizza paradise".
Helpful 25Can you help us with a boat name for a pontoon? My husband is retired; USN Sr. Chief, he now works for the Federal Aviation Administration flying over airports to inspect them. We love to putz around our lake, swim and have a few drinks. Our last name is Morehouse. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Hi,
Thanks for your question. Here are a few ideas for you:
Fun afloat
Chill time
Happy Ours
Water Haven
Time flies by
Memory Maker
Cruise Mission
I tried some anagrams of your surname but nothing seemed suitable. I thought about 'Houseless' but that seemed too close to 'homeless' which you aren't.
Helpful 23What can I name my boat that has something to do with golf or landscaping?
See if any of these suit your needs: 19th Hole, stroke of luck, or off course. For landscaping, "no more weeding", Eden, Flora, Jardine. Do any of those appeal?
Helpful 13We are want to somehow name our boat in memory of our daughter who died of cancer when she was 10 years old. Her name is Rayanne Marion Dorgan. Would you have any ideas?
I think Rayanne would be a wonderful name for your boat.
Helpful 18
© 2012 Mary Wickison
What Would You Name a Boat?
Last name is Funkhouser does funky fun sound like a good name for my boat
Hi,
My husband and I are struggling to come us with a name for our boat. It is a 26ft bow rider. My name is Kimberly and we had talked about Kimberly Ann but our kids shot that down. Our last name is Fitzpatrick (my husband is called Big Fitz) so I was thinking maybe something with our last name. Our wedding song was “You’re the Inspiration” so maybe a name using Inspiration. We love sports as well. So very much in need of help with this.
My husband owns a used car lot. Any suggestions on a great name for a boat?
I am a project manager for a civil construction company and my soon to be wife is a registered nurse. Our last name is Everett. We have a fishing boat that we need a name for. We have considered Mama Tried and Ditch Digger but would some other options. Thanks!
If I had a yacht I would make it a luxury yacht. I would name it Titan.
We own a golf cart shop ( sales and service) and are looking a name for our new boat. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
Hi, we just boat a 54 foot Sea Ray Sun dancer. We are at Lake of the Ozarks in Mo. Any ideas on a name?
Hi, Just brought a boat and thinking of something to name it. I brought it with my inheritance from my parents (both deceased) I want to name it something honoring them
Thank you
Just bought a boat and will be the boys first time named. We wanted something that ties it to our daughter. Her name is Rory.... or were thinking something w a Roar. Any suggestions.. it is a small 18ft lake boat :) any ideas would be so helpful!!
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Hi
We need a name honoring both of our dads (both deceased), one of the things they had in common is, going and betting on horse track races.
We have been racking our brains for over a month and still haven't found a proper name for it.
Please help
I dont know why but I can look up boat names to give me inspiration. I wonder what "furtacious" means? Thanks for bringing in the idea of boat names in foreign laguages.
I have been reading your articles and felt compelled to write since seeing the creative and helpful ideas and suggestions of boat names.
If you would be so kind as to help us with some suggestions… we’d appreciate it.
My husband and I are in our late 40’s and just found each other 6 years ago, marrying last year, We have shared our home and our family for about 5 years and when I say “family” I am referring to our pets. We are HUGE animal lovers and strong advocates for dogs and cats, and for adoption and rescue. We would love to incorporate a name that defines our love of pets and yet leave people inspired and while thinking “wow, that is really a great name!" lol No pressure, right? The boat we are getting is a 24 foot jet boat for relaxing, fishing and maybe some raft pulling etc…
The boat we are getting is brand new and being built… we are not fancy folks (my husband is a mechanic and shop owner and I am a hospice nurse) yet, this boat is a HUGE expense to us but because of his love of the water and our mutual adoration for our pets… can you give us any ideas?
Note: our first boat which we purchased 4 years ago is 20 years old. It was inexpensive but we loved it and we even gave it a name though we never got around to putting the name on. Because it was not new, not expensive and not perfect (though perfect to us) we named it ADOPTED. We thought it was pretty cool - who knows? Anyway, we’d love to name this boat and really want it special.
Please help?
Thanks so much in advance
I'll never have a boat, but I really enjoyed the clever and humorous names here. I used to live near a coastal community in Maine and was lucky enough to be able to go out on a coworker's sailboat several times. It was always a lovely day on the water.
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A subject very close to my heart, Mary. Many interesting names there for lots of different types of boats. The most common name I've come across for a fishing boat is Kingfisher, or some closely associated adaptation thereof. Been out on a lot of boats with names like that. I'm really old fashioned, in one particular respect at least, I'm afraid - and totally frown on renaming a boat under any circumstances. Yes, I know - many say it's superstitious mumbo jumbo. If anyone's going to do it though, you're advice does sound good :)
I love this! I love the old boats, Mary rose etc, and have a couple of galleons and cutters on display in my bedroom! lol! proved my point with your quiz! 100 percent! Yeah! I always said if I were rich I would buy a tall ship and call it either moonfleet or sebastian rose!
Awesome!! was looking for a boat name list. I'm thinking "Comfortably Numb", but also like "Three Sheets". Hahaha, then again, "Beeracuda" is priceless. Hmmmm, would be kewl if you posted a list of names for blenders as well :) -- J
Ideas for cruiser with the word "Watters". Our last name
Hi my boyfriend and I just bought a 26ft sea ray but can't decide on a name. I would like a name that reflects us as a couple or the initials MBBRH doesn't have to be in that order. My and my hubby's initials are MB if it need to be cut short. Can you help
We are buying a boat a will be renaming her. My problem is I'm a hairstylist and want something that represents or a pun of my career. Could you help with some ideas? Thanks
Do let us know what you eventually do name it!
Ann
Love 'Mental Floss'! Sadly, I'm never likely to own a boat but I do like being by and on the sea (though not in it!). I always look at their names when in a harbour or marina and some are indeed fascinating.
This is a great read with style that flows. It's a while since I read any of your hubs which is very remiss of me. Mental note to catch up with a few more!
Ann
A lovely selection of names. I don't have a boat, but maybe I can choose among those names if I buy a pug. Interesting story about the superstition related to changing a boat's name, and the practical reason behind it:)
I really like this well-written hub about boat names. The relaxing list of names are lovely. An entertaining and education article!
Nice photos and beautiful scenes. I loved the names of some of these boats like Serenity and Whisper. I used to work for an alarm company that protected Bertram Yachts in Miami. I always loved seeing the beautiful and expensive boats in their yard. Ahoy.
The only boat or ship that I would love would be one of the old cutters or galleons! we call the cutters etc tall ships, but I love them, and would love to sail around the world with those!
Mary, this was so entertaining and informational too. Now, I think the boat ride would be more enjoyable if you like the name.
These were a lot of fun, and the quiz at the end was great. A good read!
These are all very interesting names. I did not know that boats could be renamed. I mean, I did believe it was bad luck to rename a boat. Thank you for clearing that up for me. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the reason behind each type of boat name.
Named my Jon boat Stacyann after my beloved
daughters name is Blu
I would name a boat Princess Andromeada from Greek mythology also the name of Luke's yaht from Percy Jackson.
Thanks for the fun quiz!
I guess this is as important as naming your special puppy. Enjoyed the hub topic. I saw a yacht the other day with the name, "Diamonds Are Forever!"..wonder who owns it?
Excellent hub and very well written. I always heard that it was bad luck to re-name a ship. But maybe that's a "Navy" thing. I think I read it in a Napoleonic wars series of British Naval novels.
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